This will be by far the longest review I've done up to this point, because my take on this book is sort of complicated. Running With Scissors is extremely disturbing, and probably more so because it's all true. I found myself feeling really uncomfortable throughout much of it, but I absolutely cannot classify this book as a "dislike" because it really did manage to pull me in. Anyway, if I were reading a book on the Holocaust, would I deduct points for the disturbing subject matter? Well, I guess that would depend on how it was presented. Same case here.

Though I tend to forget names of characters once many books are through, I'm very familiar with each one here because each was there for a reason and made an impression upon me. This was probably my favorite aspect of Burroughs' writing. Most of the things that turned me off about this book had to do with the painful details of the horrifying events in Burroughs' adolescence, and a few of the characters, of course, greatly got on my nerves. I guess that's sort of the point.

Essentially, some of the real life events left a very bad taste in my mouth. Put enough of them back to back in Burroughs' signature cynical tone and that tends to take a toll on you as a reader. Though there were some chapters which were hilarious or endearing, the constant flow of awful events kept me from enjoying RWS as much as I would've liked. Still, there's no denying the book held my interest and kept me turning the pages. I also think the last few chapters were some of the best in the book, because you really see how Augusten, Natalie, and Deidre have grown as human beings.

Admittedly, I did expect Running With Scissors to be a bit funnier, based on the reviews it got. But, still, it was an interesting and addictive book. I'd recommend it to eccentric readers with strong stomachs. The preview of Dry in the back of the book makes me think I'll like that one better than this, and Andy recommended it, so I think I might give that a try next.